Speaker
Description
This talk will explore the current landscape of neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) searches, a phenomenon that, if observed, would provide direct evidence that neutrinos are their own antiparticles (Majorana fermions). The implications of such a discovery extend beyond the realm of particle physics, potentially offering insights into the origin of neutrino mass and the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe.
The talk will then present a comprehensive survey of the experimental landscape, showcasing the diverse approaches employed to detect 0νββ, including the use of high-purity germanium detectors, liquid scintillators, and bolometric techniques. I will highlight recent experimental results, including the most stringent limits on the 0νββ half-life for various isotopes. The challenges and future prospects of 0νββ searches will also be discussed, with a focus on the next-generation experiments that aim to significantly improve sensitivity and explore new regions of parameter space. This talk will underscore the crucial role of 0νββ searches in advancing our understanding of neutrinos and their place within the broader framework of particle physics and cosmology.
